The comparison of the complications of axillobrachial and femorofemoral arteriovenous shunt prostheses in hemodialysis, a 3 year study in Alzahra general hospital

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the outcome and complications of axillobrachial and femorofemoral graft as upper and lower limb arteriovenous shunt prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we observed and followed-up all cases with a new insertion of ePTFE between February 2006 and February 2009. Assessment of patency and the complication rates of their prostheses were the essential parts of this observation. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we observed and followed-up all cases with a new insertion of ePTFE between February 2006 and February 2009. Assessment of patency and the complication rates of their prostheses were the essential parts of this observation. RESULTS: A total of 69 grafts were performed. Forty-nine of them were successfully followed-up (18 femorofemoral and 31 axillobrachial grafts). Immediate primary patency was 100%. For axillobrachial type, primary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, was 86%, 60%, and 47%. Secondary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months was 86%, 75%, and 50%, respectively. For femorofemoral type, primary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, was 88%, 40%, and 34%. Secondary patency at 1, 3, and 6 months was 94%, 47%, and 41%, respectively. (P > 0.05) Complications included a puncture-site hematoma, thrombosis, infection, venous hypertension, need of an excision and pseudoaneurysm formation. Pseudoaneurysm rate difference between the two groups was interestingly significant, while others were relatively similar; however, the rates were different. CONCLUSION: The significant difference of aneurysm rate among our two groups, besides the insignificant difference of other complications and also the similar primary and secondary patency rates, manifest a brilliant guidance chart for the surgeons in order to choose the most compatible site for inserting ePTFE grafts (Gore-tex) as arteriovenous shunt prostheses for HD accessing.